A sessions court in Mumbai has granted interim protection from arrest to Dr. Lekha Pathak, a 79-year-old cardiologist, in a case involving allegations of pension fraud. Dr. Pathak is accused of falsely claiming to be the widow of the late Ramrao Adik, former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and receiving his pension since his death in August 2007.

The complaint was filed by Prithviraj Adik, Ramrao Adik’s son, who contends that Dr. Pathak was never legally married to his father. He alleges that she has been unlawfully receiving the family pension designated for a legitimate spouse.

In her anticipatory bail application, Dr. Pathak refutes the allegations, asserting that Ramrao Adik divorced his first wife, Shobha Adik, in 1989 and subsequently married her in 1995 according to Hindu rituals at Birla Temple in Delhi. She claims they lived together as husband and wife until his death.

Dr. Pathak also references a 2008 mutual settlement reached among all parties, including Shobha Adik and Prithviraj Adik, following testamentary proceedings after Ramrao Adik’s death. She argues that this agreement acknowledged her status as Adik’s wife and her entitlement to the family pension, which she has been receiving since 2008.

The court has directed the police not to take any coercive action against Dr. Pathak until the next hearing scheduled for June 12, allowing the prosecution time to respond to her plea.

Sources